Elon Musk’s mother, May Musk, is a renowned celebrity in her own right. At the age of 76, she is a model, dietician and the mother of one of the world’s richest men. With over 1.5 million followers on Instagram and an appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated, May Musk has captured the attention of many.
Chinese makeup artist Nadira Aisikaer has observed that May Musk’s sophisticated and elegant image resonates well with the Chinese people. Aisikaer notes that Western celebrities who are too sexy or bold may not be as popular in China. Altman Peng, a professor at the University of Warwick, describes May Musk as the “perfect idol” for Chinese women struggling to balance their successful careers, motherhood and maintaining their attractiveness.
In 2019, May Musk released a memoir that became a bestseller in China. She also became an influencer for various Chinese brands, including promoting a $200 massage belt on social media which resulted in over 140,000 units being sold. During a visit to China, she displayed photos of Tesla and expressed admiration for her son’s work.
Despite lagging sales in China, Elon Musk remains committed to the market. In April 2021, he visited the country to promote Tesla’s business. With May Musk’s popularity and influence in China, perhaps she could play a role in helping Tesla regain some of its lost market share in the region.